Jacques Martin is back with the Ottawa Senators.
The winningest bench boss in franchise history is rejoining the club as a senior adviser to D.J. Smith's coaching staff, the team announced.
"We're very pleased to welcome Jacques back to the Senators," president of hockey operations and interim general manager Steve Staios said in a statement. "Not only will his extensive expertise provide invaluable guidance, but his strategic vision and leadership are qualities that are certain to amplify our group. Jacques' proven track record, the foundation of which was built here in Ottawa, will be of significant benefit to D.J. and our entire coaching staff."
Martin was the head coach of the Senators from 1996-2004. During his tenure, he coached 692 games, winning 341 of them - both are the most in club history. He led the team to eight playoff berths, including a trip to the 2003 Eastern Conference Final and three division titles. He also won the Jack Adams Award in 1999.
Martin grew up about an hour outside of Ottawa in Saint-Pascal, Ontario.
He's held various roles since his dismissal from the Senators, including head coach and general manager of the Florida Panthers, head coach of the Montreal Canadiens, assistant coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins and New York Rangers, and, most recently, senior adviser for the OHL's Kingston Frontenacs.
The 71-year-old was also an assistant for Canada at the 2002 Olympics, 2004 World Cup of Hockey, and 2006 Olympics.
Martin has specialized in the defensive aspects of the game throughout his coaching career - an area in which the Senators have struggled under Smith. The team has allowed the ninth-most expected goals against per 60 minutes at five-on-five this season, per Natural Stat Trick, and owns the league's 28th-ranked penalty kill.
The Senators hired Smith in May 2019, making him the seventh-longest-tenured coach in the league. However, he's never led them to the playoffs, and the team sits 14th in the conference in points percentage with a 10-10-0 record this season.
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